Work Text:
Barbatos opened up the shower with a gentle twist as Diavolo folded their used clothes on a nearby dresser. As water droplets sprinkled in tinkling harmony, Diavolo entered the bath with a sheepish grin. Barbatos leaned on the dry wall, low eyes drooping more than ever. Diavolo placed a comforting hand on the dolphin-designed tile next to Barbatos' head, and tear-crinkled eyes met one another.
"Hey," Diavolo called out with a soft voice. Barbatos simply gazed with simple acknowledgement, and kind acceptance soon followed when he took in Diavolo's features. The man's unfaltering cheerfulness emulated by his golden eyes and dimples always affected Barbatos to a high degree. The latter liked to keep to himself, especially in situations where crowds would interact with one another. The interrelated noise would come off as pop music from large drumming speakers in a vibrating concert. Whereas Diavolo, the ever optimistic meticulous man he was, appeared as comforting ambient music he got used to as the organ's colors aged and faded.
Slowly but surely, Barbatos got himself off from the wall and joined Diavolo under the torrent shower of water. They stood with sides facing each other; no quiet touch or sound to be felt. Silence did not feel like the awkward stuttering one had to keep in, but rather, it was a light sense of comfort that thinned over them and their surroundings. Then, when both felt that the other intended to speak, they adjusted to face one another directly.
"I'm tired." Barbatos did not attempt to hide his fatigue or sour bitterness. The shower was their private moment; their area of sharing ugly and unwanted thoughts to each other. Diavolo did not try to flip the mood or turn things around; he looked at Barbatos deeply and waited for his vent.
Barbatos shook his head. "I've been experiencing moments where I didn't feel enthusiastic to clean or cook." He shrugged weakly and covered his eyes, as if to shield self-shame from his lover. "I don't get it. It's almost painful to forcefully work through the waves of motion." Diavolo instinctively felt the need to hug Barbatos but he stopped himself and let the man continue.
Letting out a deep breath, he crossed his arms and frowned. Diavolo could tell that he wanted to say more, to articulate himself in a more reasonable sense than the previous words but he gave up. When the air of ranting dissipated between them, Diavolo took the comfortable silence as a sign to initiate the hug protocol. He gingerly pulled Barbatos towards him, his chin fitting just on top of his hair. They stayed in that position for a while, Barbatos' arms hanging onto Diavolo while his hands rubbed circular motions on his bony shoulders. When he heard sniffing and felt tiny rivulets of water on his collarbone, his hold around Barbatos tightened.
The shower continued, and soon, Diavolo found himself directly face to face with Barbatos. From his arms, he gazed at Diavolo. The tip of their noses touched, and they could clearly see one another's flaws and features that blended into floral fauna. Diavolo blinked slowly twice at his lover and in response, Barbatos' brush of a careful breaking smile blessed his day. Diavolo couldn't resist his happiness for Barbatos and showed it in a grin and a brush of his hair. The two separated from each other in a laughing moment, the atmosphere naturally shifting from one mood to another. The urge to compose and apologize rose like an inevitable flag in Barbatos but he knew this was Diavolo's safe space as well, so he laughed along with him.
The two spent the rest of their shower cleaning one another, like Diavolo covering Barbatos's hair with shampoo and Barbatos rubbing Diavolo's shoulders with soap and water. Soon they had a proper shower, and when they felt that they tired out the bathroom's use, both left with the intention to change and rest. Diavolo put on his comfortable clothes, ready for an evening endeavor and sleep, while Barbatos dried his hair with the towel. When the two found their respective accessories, they set out to venture the nightlife of cities.